The National Association for Surface Finishing has released its Public Policy Update for March 2021. Some of the highlights in the update are summarized below. You can access the March 2021 Public Policy Update here.
NASF Chromium Finishing Symposium for CARB — NASF and its California chapters presented a chromium plating symposium for the California Air Resources Board (CARB), as it considers possible regulatory options to transition hexavalent chromium processes to trivalent chromium. The symposium included a slate of industry experts who discussed the status of trivalent chromium plating technology and the current barriers and timelines for a broad application of trivalent chromium processes.
White House Executive Order on Critical Supply Chains — President Biden signed an Executive Order directing a series of reviews of global supply chains to create more resilient and secure supply chains for critical materials and goods. The reviews will involve multiple departments within the Executive Branch and will implicate a broad range of policy-related concerns, including defense, intelligence, health, climate, the economy, geopolitics and human rights.
Interim Guidance on Destruction and Disposal of PFAS — EPA published a draft Interim Guidance on Destroying and Disposing of Certain PFAS and PFAS-Containing Materials That Are Not Consumer Products. The new interim guidance outlines the current state of the science on techniques and treatments that may be used to destroy or dispose of PFAS and PFAS-containing materials from non-consumer products. NASF joined the American Chemistry Council in submitting comments on the interim guidance.
Small Business Administration PPP Assistance — The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) established a 14-day, exclusive Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan application period for businesses and nonprofits with fewer than 20 employees to promote equitable relief for small businesses. These steps demonstrate the commitment to racial and gender equity, reaching low and moderate-income, rural, urban, and other underserved areas.
EPA Releases Updated Environmental Justice Mapping Tool (EJSCREEN) — EPA released an update of EJSCREEN, the Agency\’s publicly available environmental justice screening and mapping tool to identify environmental burdens on vulnerable populations. This update is a refresh of the environmental and demographic data currently contained in EJSCREEN and enhances the tool by adding new and improved functionality such as climate change indicators.
Superfund Listing of PFOS and PFOA – The Biden EPA is reviewing a January 14, 2021 Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPRM) on the potential listing of PFOS and PFOA as hazardous substances under CERCLA, better known as the federal Superfund law. EPA is expected to resubmit the ANPRM or issue a proposed rulemaking that may include a revised approach or modified language.
EPA Drinking Water Standard for PFOS and PFOA — EPA proposed a regulatory determination to regulate PFOS and PFOA in drinking water, which is the first step in setting a federal drinking water standard.
OSHA Proposed Hazard Communication Standard — The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) issued a proposed rule to amend and update the agency\’s Hazard Communication Standard. The move would update the current US regulation to align with the most recent version (revision 7) of the UN Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals (GHS).